In the later years of the 19th century, following the disastrous Franco-Prussian War (a defeat for France), young radicals formed the Paris Commune, revolted against the National Assembly, took hostages and laid siege to the city. After violent clashes with the French army, many of the Communards were killed and the surviving leaders executed.
Some of the Communards were held prisoner in the basement of a mysterious opera house, which later became a ballet house. The basement was said to be haunted.
The story fascinated a young journalist, Gaston Leroux, who turned to fiction and wrote the novel “Le Fantôme de l’Opéra (Phantom of the Opera)” published in 1910, which became famous in the English-speaking world.
It didn’t take long for Hollywood to pick up the story. In 1925 came a film version, “The Man of a Thousand Faces,” starring Lon Chaney. And I remember another film in the 1960s, starring Herbert Lom, I think, as the Phantom. And there was a scene in which the actress playing Christine, the young soprano, was crying and protesting against the rigors of training to be an opera star.
The Phantom slaps her and cries out, “Do you think you can become a great artist without suffering?”
Achingly beautiful
It took British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber—Time magazine dubbed him “the Magician of the Musical”—to transform the old French warhorse into a spectacular sung-through musical, with crashing chandeliers and all, underground caves, special effects, riveting sets, highly romantic, affecting lyrics—and, best of all, an achingly beautiful score.
That was in 1986. Since then, the musical play has played worldwide, broken records everywhere, and is still running on Broadway.
“The Phantom of the Opera” was presented in all its grandeur at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) some years ago.
And now it is back in Manila to kick off its Asian tour, produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and mounted by Concertus Manila.
Jonathan Roxmouth (Che in “Evita” and the Pharoah in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat”) portrays the Phantom, and Christine is Meghan Picerno. Her lover Raoul is played by Matt Leisy.
The media were treated recently to an open rehearsal at Star Theater, CCP Complex. First we saw Christine (Picerno) tackling the high notes in the delectable “Think of Me” number, and at the end flinging high her shawl (which fell on the arm of the photographer in front of her).
Then the producers of the opera company (in the play) reassured La Carlotta, the petulant prima donna jealous of Christine, that she is really “the first lady of the stage.”
The menacing Phantom (Roxmouth) made his entrance, trying to seduce Christine with his music. Finally, the entire cast assembled for the rousing “Masquerade!” number.
But where was Raoul (Leisy)? The celebrated love duet “All I Ask of You” was not performed. Oh well, that’s for the regular run, I guess.
Two more weeks have been added to the Manila season. —CONTRIBUTED
“The Phantom of the Opera” runs Feb. 20-March 31 at The Theatre at Solaire. Tel. 4038678.
